Ethnic Inter-marriage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Levels, Trends & Differentials

For a variety of reasons ethnic inter-marriage has been considered as a signal of high level of societal assimilation. In spite of being a multi ethnic nation comprised of more than 80 ethnic groups where enormous population movement and subsequent intermingling took place; no attempt has been made to study the magnitude, trend and characteristics of marital assimilation among ethnic groups in Ethiopia. Likewise, despite being the biggest urban center in the country, little is known whether there is significant inter-marriage among ethnic groups in Addis Ababa, which may have its own manifestation in relation to marital & societal stability, fertility, nutrition, gender equity and other ethnic based policies. In general, the study may help to narrow such gaps and efforts have been made to answer four basic questions: (i) To what extent are ethnic groups inter-married? (ii) Is there any change in ethnic inter-marriage over time? (iii) What are the factors associated with ethnic inter-marriage and how do ethnic groups differ in this respect? (iv) Is there any relationship between ethnic inter-marriage and divorce in the study population?